The final round of Major Community Grant funding for the financial year was endorsed by council today and will see community groups across the Sunshine Coast benefit from almost $500,000 in grants.

This endorsement takes the total to more than $1 million in grant funding provided to community groups this financial year through the Community Grants Program.

Community and Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said this round of grants would support a range of age groups on the Coast.

“Local community organisations make a vital contribution to our social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing here on the Coast,” Cr McKay said.

“This financial year, council has provided more than $1 million in grant funding through the Community Grants Program which is fantastic for our community.

“Each round of the program attracts hundreds of applications and it never ceases to amaze me the incredible work that these organisations do to benefit the Sunshine Coast community.

“From a toolkit to support youth-based business start-ups to a positive ageing and intergenerational program, this round of grants will support the young, old and everyone in between.”

Council’s community grants support local communities across seven categories. This round of funding includes:

$59,578 for community development

$99,240 for community events

$238,144 for community facilities

$10,950 for cultural development

$12,628 for cultural heritage

$32,500 for economic development

$38,692 for sport, recreation and healthy living

The Silver Fox Community brings together the oldest and youngest members of our community and will use their $6000 grant to develop a positive ageing pilot program.

The program will provide seniors with accessibility, mobility and purposeful activities such as sharing life stories and assisting with classroom activities with junior grade children.

President of Silver Fox Francis Hartnett said The Silver Fox initiative would facilitate seniors in volunteering their time and contributing to the value of early education.

“Volunteering has known benefits to seniors’ mental health and wellbeing,” Mr Hartnett said.

“Thanks to the grant from council, we will aim to strengthen the inter-generational connections between our older and younger residents.

“The pilot program will bring together senior care providers, who will contribute volunteers, carers and transport, with local Sunshine Coast schools that will involve the seniors in weekly class activities.

“Students will benefit from a wealth of life-experience and knowledge only our elder adults can impart.”